Skype boots executives to prep for Microsoft takeover

Internet video chat company Skype confirmed on Monday that eight executives have left the company following Microsoft’s huge $8.5 billion buyout offer in May. The company did not say whether the executives were laid off or resigned, but Bloomberg suggests they were fired. Bloomberg, however, did not mention any grounds for firing.

“Skype, like any other pragmatic organization, constantly assesses its team structure to deliver its users the best products,” a Skype spokesperson said in a statement. “As part of a recent internal shift Skype has made some management changes.”

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The shakeup appears to be a way to trim Skype’s excess in order to get ready for the move under the Microsoft umbrella. Bloomberg says Skype letting senior executives go will reduce their payout. Business Insider, however, talked to an unnamed Skype investor and said the incident was the product of a lengthy company review by CEO Tony Bates.

Specific departures from Skype included David Gurle, vice president and general manager for Skype for Business; Don Albert, vice president and general manager for the Americas and Advertising; Doug Bewsher, chief marketing officer; Christopher Dean, head of consumer market business development; Russ Shaw, vice president and general manager; and Anne Gillespie, head of human resources; Qik founder Ramu Sunkara; and senior vice president Allyson Campa.

In related news, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Thursday approved Microsoft’s buyout offer for Skype. The deal still needs to clear the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Union. Microsoft said it intends to connect Skype video calling services to Outlook, Xbox, and other products if the deal goes through.